Subject:
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Mindstorms Profitability, Demise of Technic, Bleak Future
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 8 Aug 2002 13:14:42 GMT
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Original-From:
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The Gaff <the_gaff@hotmail.comSPAMLESS>
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> > > Mindstorms missed their original intended target, yet provided a large
> > > profit through us adults.
> >
> > Do we actually know if Mindstorms has made a Lego a large profit?
When Mindstorms came out, I bought it immediately. Then I bought another. I
sorted out my childhood LEGO collection and found it wanting. The search for
additional parts began.
The [expansion for making bugs, whatever it was called] was lousy and
overpriced. I bought it anyway, my Mindstorm lust was so great. The Vision
Command set was limited and not much fun, but I bought it, too.
I bought the Super Street Sensation - just about the only real Technic set
I've seen in years. I made several orders from Pitsco LEGO Dacta to get
additional sensors, gears, lamps, and other parts at ridiculous prices
because they weren't available elsewhere. I then spent roughly $1500 more
buying sets and parts on eBay. I would have given that money directly to
LEGO with a smile on my face had they offered more interesting Technic sets.
Sadly, Technic is virtually dead... so I bought old-school Technic sets from
individuals, and they got my money instead. I periodically stop by Toys R Us
and look at the LEGO sets, hoping to find a new one that I like... actually
*wanting* to buy one; but no, its all oriented towards younger children and
collectors. Where are the Space Shuttle equivalent sets? There are none.
Any money LEGO hasn't gotten from me is their own fault. I've demonstrated
my willingness to buy at full price anything they produce that is even
remotely swell.
At this point, I am frustrated and embittered. I honestly thought Mindstorms
signalled the coming of a new era... not only for LEGO, but for robotics, a
longtime interest of mine. I thought LEGO would continue to expand the
abilities of the system, adding new actuators, sensors, and mechanisms...
instead, their initial offering seems to represent the whole of the thing.
Unlike others who frequent this group, I don't see the bright side of
Spybotics, the Scout, or - heaven forbid - the MicroScout. I don't want them
and won't buy them. I want my RCXs to be smarter, more flexible, more
able... I'm willing and ready to pay for it. At present, my only alternative
is to purchase homemade expansions from businesses like HiTechnicStuff.
(Very, very cool products... but my LEGO purism can't deal with them.)
Today I am in a position to do something I've often imagined wistfully in
the past. I have the opportunity to teach groups of disadvantaged youth
about science and technology using the Mindstorms platform. Grant money is
being sought and will likely be found. I've talked to the kids and they're
enthusiastic. Two or three years ago, I would have been insanely delighted.
Now, I feel wary and unsure. Will LEGO continue to support Mindstorms? Will
real expansions ever be made available? Can I find my love for LEGO again? I
don't know.
Issac.
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: Spybotics vs Cricket
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| Greetings!! This is my very first contribution to this group so I just wanted to introduce me in a few words. I'm 27, living in Paris (France). I just bought the RIS 2.0 after reading a paper on a French and European Robotics Cup and feel pretty (...) (22 years ago, 8-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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